The Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Company has issued exhibitors’ guidelines for this year’s show in line with its COVID-19 safety and risk management plan. The guidelines spell out a number of guidelines to ensure a safe ZITF2021. These include the requirement that exhibitors will need to have COVID 19- free certificates issued 48 hours before the commencement of the show.
The trade fair is set to run from 23 to 25 August 2021 under the theme, “Showcasing the New Normal for Business & Industry: Realities and Opportunities.”
The guidelines are divided into three phases namely the pre-show phase, the event phase and the post-event phase.
Under the first phase, the company emphasised safety by encouraging stakeholders to get vaccinated and announced that exhibitors needed COVID19-free certificates to participate in this year’s show.
“All exhibitors, visitors, contractors, suppliers and vendors will be required to produce a C19 Free Certificate (PCR) taken no later than 48 hrs before the show begins,” reads part of the guidelines.
Under the first phase, exhibitors will be provided with COVID-19 Exhibitor Safety Kit to sanitise visitors to their stands. As part of measures to promote safety, the ZITF will distribute exhibitors’ badges prior to the show using designated points in Bulawayo and Harare.
The company also encouraged exhibitors to simplify stand designs to reduce set up time. It also appealed to exhibitors to reduce stand staff numbers to allow for social distancing.
As part of its safety measures during the show, the ZITF Company has trained some of its staff to ensure compliance with COVID-19 safety protocols. Exhibitors are expected to sanitise all visitors to their stands. Signage promoting everyday COVID-19 protective measures such as proper wearing of masks, washing hands and social distancing will be put in public places.
At the entry gates, visitors will be subjected to the usual safety measures such as temperature checks and hand sanitisation.
“On arrival, everyone will undergo a COVID-19 screening exercise comprising temperature and mask checks. Gate ushers will deny entry to those who fail to meet minimum requirements of C19 protocols. Contactless scanners will be at all entry points to facilitate minimal human interface,” reads part of the guideline.
The ZITF will have a medical service point for the provision of clinical support and patient treatment. Visitors denied entry due to high temperature or any visible symptoms of ill-health will be referred to the containment facility for further assessment and case management by medical personnel.
The venue will be disinfected at the end of business every day. This will necessitate stakeholders to vacate the fairgrounds by 1630hours every day.
After the show, dismantling time will be extended by five days to limit crowding.
